Jen smoothed Laura’s hair back, just like when they were kids. “Anytime, sis. I’ve got your back, always.”
Laura stood in front of the full–length mirror in Jen’s guest room, smoothing down the crisp white blouse she’d borrowed. Her reflection stared back at her, a mix of determination and aroiety etched across her face.
Jen appeared in the doorway, a steaming mug of coffee in hand. “You look ready to kick some ass, sis.”
Laura attempted a smile, but it came out more like a grimace. “I feel like I might throw up.”
“Totally normal,” Jen assured her, crossing the room to stand beside Laura. She placed a comforting hand on her sister’s shoulder.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN – The Trom Set, But For Whom!
But seriously, you look great. Professional, composed, and past a tiny bit intimidating.”
Laura tugged at the blazer Jen had lent her. It was a deep navy, tailored perfectly to accentuate her figure. “You sure it’s not too much?”
“Are you kidding? It’s perfect. You look like a woman who’s about to take no prisoners in that mediation room. ”
Laura took a deep breath, trying to channel the confidence Jen seemed to see in her. “God, I hope so.”
Jen squeezed her shoulder. “You’ve got this, Laura, Remember, you’re fighting for what’s rightfully yours. Don’t let that cheating bastard push you around.”
With a nod, Laura grabbed her purse. “Okay, I guess it’s time.”
The drive to the mediator’s office felt both endless and far too short. Laura’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel, her mind racing through all the possible scenarios that could unfold. As she pulled into the parking lot, she spotted Leon’s car already there. Her stomach lurched.
GALPTER FOURTEEN–SUPER
CHAPTER FOURTEEN- In the Heat of the Moment
“You can do this,” she muttered to herself, taking one last steadying breath before exiting the car.
The office building loomed before her, all glass and steel. Laura’s heels clicked against the polished floor as she made her way to the elevator, each step feeling heavier than the last
Room 305. The nameplate on the door read “Ms. Thornton, Certified Mediator.” Laura’s hand hovered over the doorknob for a moment before she steeled herself and entered.
Leon was already seated, his expression unreadable as he looked up at her. For a moment, Laura felt a pang of the old familiarity, the urge to go to him, to seek comfort in his presence. She quickly squashed it down.
“Laura,” he said, his voice carefully neutral
“Leon,” she replied, taking the seat furthest from him.
Before the silence could stretch into awkwardness, the door opened again. A middle–aged woman with salt–and–pepper hair and kind eyes entered, carrying a leather portfolio.
“Good morning,” she said, her voice warm but professional. “I’m Ms. Thornton. I’ll be mediating your session today.” She settled into the chair at the head of the table, opening her portfolio. “Now, before we begin, I want to remind you both that mediation is a voluntary process. We’re here to find a mutually agreeable solution, not to assign blame or rehash old arguments. Is that clear?”
Laura and Leon both nodded, though Laura could feel tension radiating off her soon–to–be ex–husband.
Ms. Thornton smiled encouragingly, “Excellent. Let’s start by discussing your assets. I have here a list of your joint property. We’ll go through it item by item…..”
For the first half hour, things progressed relatively smoothly. They agreed on the division of their savings and investments with minimal fuss. But when they reached the topic of their house, the calm facade cracked.
“The house should stay with me,” Leon stated firmly. “I’m the one still living there, and I’ve been making the mor
the mortgage payments.”
Laura felt heat rise in her checks. “You’re the one still living there because you kicked me out! That was our home, Leon. I put just as much into it as you did.”
Leon’s jaw clenched. ‘You left, Laura. You just took off without a word. What was I supposed to do?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Laura shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Maybe not move your mistress in before the sheets were even cold?”
“Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Thornton interjected, her tone sharp. “Let’s try to keep this discussion productive. Mr. Laurinaitis, can you explain why you feel you should keep the house?”
Leon took a deep breath, visibly trying to calm himself. “I’ve been in that house for over a decade. It’s close to my work, and I’ve put a lot of effort into maintaining it. Laura’s the one who chose to leave.”
“Because you were cheating on me!” Laura exclaimed, unable to contain herself. “What was I supposed to do, stick around and watch you play house with Vanessa?
Leon’s face darkened, “Don’t bring Vanessa into this. Our marriage was falling apart long before she came into the picture.”
Laura felt like she’d been slapped. “Falling apart? We were happy, Leon. At least, I thought we were. Remember our anniversary trip to Napa last year? You said it was the best vacation we’d ever had.”
“I was trying to make things work,” Leon muttered, not meeting her eyes.
Ms. Thornton held up a hand. “Let’s refocus. The house is clearly a significant point of contention. Have you considered selling it and splitting the proceeds?”
“No,” Leon said firmly. “I want to keep the house.”
Laura leaned forward, her voice tight with emotion. “And what about what I want? That was my home too, Leon. I picked out every paint color, planted the garden, chose the furniture. You can’t just erase me from it.”
“You erased yourself when you took off without a word!” Leon snapped. “Do you have any idea how worried I was? You could have been dead in a ditch somewhere for all I knew!”
Laura laughed bitterly. “Oh please, like you cared. You were probably thrilled to have me out of the way so you could play happy families with Vanessa.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN the Heat of the Moment.
“That’s not fair,” Leon growled. “You have no idea what I was going through.”
What you were going through? Laura’s voice rose incredulously. “I’m sorry, were you the one who found out your spouse was cheating? Were you the one kicked out of your own home?
Leon slammed his hand on the table, making both Laura and Ms. Thornton jump “For God’s sake, Laura! Our marriage was dead long before Vanessa came along. You were always so wrapped up in your work, always too tired, always making excuses…
“So that justifies cheating?” Laura shot back, tears pricking at her eyes. “If you were so unhappy, why didn’t you just tell me? We could have worked on it, we could have gone to counseling…”
“I tried!” Leon exploded. “I tried for years to make you see what was happening to us. But you didn’t want to see it. It was easier for you to pretend everything was fine.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN–A Drop–on She Want Ready For
CHAPTER FIFTEEN – A Decision She Wasn’t Ready For
Laura felt like she’d been punched in the gut. “That’s not true,” she whispered, but a small voice in the back of her mind wondered if
there was some truth to his words.
Ms.Thornton cleared her throat. “I think we need to take a step back here. Remember, the goal of mediation is not to assign blame, but to find a way forward. Let’s return to the issue of the house. Mr. Laurinaitis, is there any scenario in which you’d be willing to consider selling?
Leon ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every line of his body. “I don’t know. Maybe if the price was right.
“And Ms. McKenna,” Ms: Thornton turned to Laura, “would you be open to a buyout arrangement, where Mr. Laurinaitis purchases your share of the equity?”
Laura took a shaky breath, trying to think rationally despite the emotional turmoil roiling inside her. “I suppose that could be an option. But it would have to be a fair valuation.”
Ms.Thornton nodded encouragingly. “That’s a good start. Now, let’s discuss how we might go about determining that valuation…”
The next hour passed in a blur of numbers and negotiations. Laura found herself grateful for Ms. Thornton’s calm presence, guiding them back to the issues at hand whenever emotions threatened to derail the conversation
As they neared the two hour mark, Ms. Thornton glanced at her watch. “I think this might be a good time for a short break Why don’t we take fifteen minutes to clear our heads, and then we’ll reconvene to discuss any remaining issues?”
Laura practically bolted from the room, desperate for fresh air. She made her way outside, leaning against the cool brick of the building and taking deep, steadying breaths..
She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t notice Leon exit the building, or the sleek red convertible pulling into the parking lot. It wasn’t until she heard the car door slam that she looked up, her heart sinking as she recognized the woman striding towards them
Vanessa was everything Laura wasn’t- tall, willowy, with long blonde hair that seemed to catch the sunlight. She sashayed up to Leon, placing a possessive hand on his arm.
“How’s it going, baby?” she cooed, loud enough for Laura to hear. “Is the shrew giving you a hard time?
Leon looked uncomfortable, trying to shrug off Vanessa’s hand. “Vanessa, you shouldn’t be here. We agreed you’d wait at home.”
But Vanessa’s attention was already fixed on Laura, her lips curving into a cruel smile. “Well, well, If it isn’t the soon–to–be ex–Mrs. Laurinaitis. How does it feel to be yesterday’s news, honey?”
Laura felt her checks burn, but she held her head high. “I’d rather be yesterday’s news than a homewrecker any day.”
Vanessa’s eyes narrowed. “Homewrecker? Please. Your marriage was over long before I came along. Leon was practically begging for
attention”
“Vanessa, stop, “Lean hissed, but she ignored him, advancing on Laura.
“Face it, sweetie,” Vanessa sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. “You couldn’t keep your man satisfied. It’s no wonder he came running to me. I mean, look at you- all frumpy and worn out. How old are you again? Pushing forty?”
Laura felt tears prick at her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “At least I have some dignity. Unlike some people who have to steal other women’s husbands to feel good about themselves.”
Vanessa’s face contorted with rage. She raised her hand, clearly intending to slap Laura. But before she could make contact, another hand shot out, grabbing Vanessa’s wrisL
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Jen’s voice rang out, cold and
